Staal is still the #1 guy. But I do think McD has a great shot at his first ASG next season...he is also a stud. Remember, Marc is still not all the way back. I expect him to return to form next year after he's had a full summer to get in shape and a full camp to get ready for the season.

Staal's been a lot better recently and I'd say he's almost back to where he should be... only thing that keeps me from saying he is 100% back is the lack of an off-season training camp with the team. Can't wait to see him at the start of next season.

That being said I think McD is just as solid defensively and can skate better than Staal. For now, I'd say McD is better.

Speaking of McD, anyone else catch Weekes giving it to Montreal fans on NHL tonight? He was talking about how the Rangers broke their hearts in the middle of the night with that (Gomez) deal...which they also referred to as a "heist." lol

I was about to post this exact poll. But please change the title so that people know what we are talking about here.

And I voted for McDonagh. I've never seen a player play defense in open ice as well as he does. Others were great near the crease, behind the net or along the boards, but nobody was as good as McDonagh in open ice. He also has more offensive potential than Staal. I think Staal maxes out as a 30-point defenseman, whereas McDonagh could get himself to be a 45-50 point defenseman, or at a minimum a 35-40 point one.

Two entirely different players. Both guys are grade A defenders. McD is better offensively(huge potential). McD is probably the best skater on D that we've seen in a long time. Staal's a lot more physical. Both guys are dominant with the stick.

Honestly? Overall I think Staal's experience makes him better right now, but I think McD is a better all-around defenseman with a lot more potential. Staal's offense was improving before the concussion, it's been great this series. I just don't think it competes with McD's potential.

If I had to choose a pairing for next season I'd put Staal with Girardi if we get Schultz and McD with Schultz(who should by all means be league-ready). If we don't, then I'd say Girardi/Staal, MDZ/Staal(or Sauer/Staal if healthy)

but yeah-- both defenseman are great. McD probably has the edge in the long term. a healthy staal has the edge now... ALTHOUGH... skating is a HUGE plus, and might even give McD the edge now.

Yeah, tough one. They both have different strengths. Staal is better along the boards (though McDonagh's no slouch) and better at making plays in the defensive zone when he has the puck.

McDonagh might actually be better 1 on 1 on the rush than Staal because of his skating, and of course has the speed to erase mistakes and catch up to forwards.

But having both of them playing great is a HUGE reason the Rangers have made it this far. When teams can't get away from great defensemen because the Rangers have too many of them, it's a lot harder on their forwards

Speaking of McD, anyone else catch Weekes giving it to Montreal fans on NHL tonight? He was talking about how the Rangers broke their hearts in the middle of the night with that (Gomez) deal...which they also referred to as a "heist." lol

Maloney took a shot at them too last night. lol

It's all hindsight. I didn't hear anyone complaining at time, about McD being included in the trade.

You must have not read the thread on their board. They were going nuts praying McD wasn't included. Thankfully for us he was.

Lots of them freaked out and hated it right up until the point someone suggested that he was traded because management thought he wasn't progressing the way they wanted and then the tide turned into people saying "it's OK he'll probably bust, he was falling down the depth chart, we have a bunch of better prospects, he wasn't that good"

Very tough, i love staalsy but McD gets the vote because of his offensive talent. Dude will be a norris nominee in a couple years when his offense really comes through...

You're entitled to vote as you see fit, but pls note the OP emphasized defensively, and not better overall, though Staal seems to have better slap shot and McD better at set up offensive passes.

As to D, went with Staal, though this is very, very close. Marc has height, reach, experience. McD has speed. Strength is close. Gave Staal edge on shutdown technique from that experience. May have to give this to McD in a year or two if he learns every trick in the book Staal knows by then.

I'm going with McDonagh, consistently one of the best players in the playoffs and for holding the fort with Staal's absence. Staal has been fantastic lately but his play early in the playoffs makes me give the vote to McDonagh.